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http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/13562/south-africa-s-2014-election-could-be-next-step-in-anc-s-steady-declineIn theory, South Africa’s elections this year should give the opposition its best opportunity to date to erode support for the African National Congress and realign South African politics. But while the ANC has had a difficult period in government, beset by leadership problems, internecine strife, corruption scandals, confusion over economic policy and protests, it remains a formidable political machine.

South Africa’s 2014 Election Could Be Next Step in ANC’s Steady Decline

In theory, South Africa’s national and provincial elections, to be held on May 7, should give the opposition its best opportunity to date to erode support for the African National Congress (ANC) and to advance a realignment of South African politics. The ANC has had a difficult and unsuccessful period in government since the 2009 election, beset by problems of leadership, internecine strife, countless corruption scandals, confusion over economic policy and daily “service delivery” protests. The country’s post-1994 nadir came in August 2012 with the killing by police of 34 striking miners, a tipping point for many who had previously been unconditionally loyal to the ANC.

Although this year’s poll coincides with the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy, providing the ANC another opportunity to flaunt its liberation credentials, it may also serve to remind voters how much has been left unachieved, and of the shortfalls in ANC performance on unemployment, inequality and poverty, as well as the plummeting ethical standards in government. These deficits should provide fertile terrain for the ANC’s opposition on both left and right. ...